SPORTS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
Top athletes clash on our home soil
By Jonathan Burrows
The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) hosted its 2025 Senior National Track and Field Championships over the weekend at the original Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, bringing together the nation’s top track and field talents on home soil.
The two-day event served as a critical qualifier for athletes trying to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships,
set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13. Standout athletes from Ghana and the Dominican Republic also competed.
The weekend marked a pivotal moment for Bahamian track and field athletes in their season, providing them with a platform to secure their spot in Tokyo, prepare for upcoming meets, and set a benchmark for their progress.
With a lively home crowd and an electric atmosphere, the BAAA Senior Nationals once again reaffirmed its importance not only as a national competition but as a launching pad for Bahamian athletes to showcase their world-class potential. New national champions were crowned, as well as some familiar faces. The champions of the various races and field events are as follows.
Track Events
Anthaya Charlton won the Women’s 100-metre dash running under Puma with a time of 11.13 seconds.
Terrance Jones won the Men’s 100-metre dash running unattached with a time of 10.16 seconds.
Wanya McCoy would finish second, running unattached with a time of 10.20 seconds.
Anthonique Strachan won the Women’s 200-metre dash running unattached with a time of 22.79 seconds. Steven
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Team Bahamas makes a splash at FINA World Aquatics Championships
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
OLYMPIAN Lamar
Taylor and Victoria Russell wrapped up competition for Team Bahamas at the FINA LCM World Aquatics Championships in Singapore over the weekend.
The team, which also included the sibling tandem of Mark-Anthony and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, didn’t come away with any medals or second swims, but they all gave it their best shot.
The team was coached by Travano McPhee and managed by Georgia Albury. Cordero Bonamy travelled as the physiotherapist.
Taylor closed out his triple appearance at the championships in the men’s 50m backstroke in a time of 25.45 seconds for 39th overall after placing fourth in the third of seven heats.
Taylor had his highest placing in the men’s 50m freestyle on Friday when he ended up 20th after posting a time of 22.05 for fourth in the 10th of 13 heats.
Taylor, coming off his appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris, France last year, touched the wall first in 48.52 seconds in the ninth of 12 heats of the men’s 100m freestyle on Tuesday.
As he erased his previous Bahamas national record of 48.84, the 22-year-old Taylor ended up 22nd overall.
“Compared to the last worlds, the 50 free and 100 free are getting faster and faster as the standard is being raised,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned what will probably make it back to semifinals and finals next year and what times are starting to become the new normal.”
Also on Saturday, Russell, in the last of her two events, finished 58th overall in the women’s 50m freestyle in 27.59 after she was eighth in the sixth of 11 heats.
The day before on Friday, she made her debut in the women’s 50m butterfly in 29.41.
McPhee said Team Bahamas delivered a commendable performance at the Swimming World Championships, with every athlete giving their all and
LAMAR TAYLOR, of The Bahamas, prepares to compete in the men’s 50-meter freestyle heats at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Friday, Aug.1, 2025. (AP
proudly representing the nation on the global stage.
“The sight of the Bahamian flag waving in the stands was a powerful reminder of the pride and determination each swimmer carried with them,” he said.
“The final two competitors closed out the meet on a high note, particularly Lamar Taylor, who once again demonstrated his world-class talent by setting a new national record
THE Bahamas opened their 2025 Davis Cup Tie with a 2-1 victory over Cuba in their Americas Group VI matchup at the National Racquet Sports Centre in Trinidad and Tobago.
Michael Major Jr prevailed with a 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Demilson Martinez to get Team Bahamas started and national champion Denali Nottage followed with a clinching 6-1, 6-4 sweep over Alberto Gonzalez.
However, the duo of Donte Armbrister and Kofi Bowe came up a bit short in their doubles match in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 to Martinez and Gonzalez, but it didn’t matter.
The tie was also secured in the singles.
Team captain John Antonas said it was a tough match but the team was resilient and was able to overcome the Cubans to get a jump start in the tie.
“So it was a really tough match. We won both singles and lost the doubles in the third set but won overall against Cuba,” said Spencer, a former national team player and captain for The Bahamas when the island nation played in Zone One.
“Kofi Bowe got injured in the second set of the doubles and still played through the match as best as possible. A really superb performance by our team. We should do well over the next two days before having a break on Thursday.”
Both Major Jr and Nottage, who are playing on their second and third years respectively on the Davis Cup team, were thrilled to
BAHAMIAN triple jumper Kaiwan Culmer secured his place at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in emphatic fashion on Friday evening at the original Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, jumping a personal best of 17.29 metres on his very first attempt during the Men’s Triple Jump finals at the BAAA Open Senior Track and Field Championships. The electrifying jump surpassed the World Athletics’ qualifying standard
of 17.22 metres, which is the third furthest jump by a Bahamian and the eighth furthest jump in the world, officially booking his ticket to Tokyo later this year.
The 28-year-old’s performance was met with the loving applause of the home crowd, as Culmer showcased fierce emotion, celebrating this moment of triumph. “It’s beautiful, man…beyond beautiful, that’s all I have to say,” said Culmer as he described the feeling of qualifying.
and tying one of his existing marks.
“His consistent growth and ability to rise to the occasion at major international meets continue to set a high standard for Bahamian swimming, solidifying his place as a leader in the sport.”
As for Russell, McPhee said she also delivered strong performances during the final two days of
Photo/Vincent Thian)
By Jonathan Burrows
TOP: Steven Gardiner won the 200-metre dash. ABOVE: Printassia Johnson won the women’s 400-metre dash. Shaunae Miller-Uibo finished second.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr